Your Year In . . . Sex

The Men's Health Girl Next Door has resolved to have more fun in bed. Are you in?

Of course not. That was boring. And it was negative, like too many New Year's declarations. I want to look forward to 2012, no matter what the Mayans say. (Though end-of-the-world sex sounds intense. Where's my calendar?) In the interest of more satisfaction for everyone, here are my resolutions. See if your girl will try some—or the two of you can make up your own list.

For my part, I will. . .

ENJOY THE MORNINGFor years I've struggled with waking up earlier. I've also noticed that a certain part of a man wakes up before either one of us. Time for some win-win synergy: early-morning sex. For women, there's no better way (except maybe pancakes) to start the day. Debby Herbenick, Ph.D., M.P.H., the author of Because It Feels Good, says sex can be a powerful mood lifter, releasing oxytocin, a hormone linked with feeling close and being generally happier. That's incentive to wake up—plus sex leaves my skin glowing. Your part: Set the alarm, then whisper something about a dream you had; feel free to embellish. Then make it come true.

ASK MORE QUESTIONSThe sexperts I interview are always saying that communication is crucial for great sex. So I'm going to ask my boyfriend one or two questions—say, top three sexual experiences. Then he has to ask me something. We'll see where the answers take us.

STARVE US BOTHThis will be the hardest diet ever: no sex for a week. All forms: oral, manual, intercourse, even sex with myself. Now, I'm no prude, but there's something tantalizing about testing the limits of my resolve. Self-denial can boost desire and help you rediscover the thrill of the chase, says Logan Levkoff, Ph.D., a sexologist and the author of the wonderfully titled e-book How to Get Your Wife to Have Sex with You. It's kind of Zen: tuning in by going without. "Knowing you can't touch each other becomes this mental game of foreplay," Levkoff says. Intrigued? It works for men and women. (Hint: Stay off the Internet.) Next business trip, no sexting or heavy breathing over the phone. For this diet to work, total abstinence is required. Trust me, that first meal is going to taste delicious.